Store display fixture assembly

ABSTRACT

A plurality of spaced parallel uprights, self-standing or wallassisted, are connected in series by rod-like cross members having hollow interiorly-threaded end portions which receive bolt-like members passed through the uprights. The uprights are slotted for reception of shelf support brackets. Pegboard or solid panels are fitted between the uprights and supported by the cross members, the upper and lower panel edges having specially formed structure adapted to register with the cross members and operable to permit quick and easy installation and removal of the panels without the use of tools. Stabilizing clips mounted on the uprights anchor side edge portions of the panels to hold the panels to hold the plane.

United States Patent [1 1 Bard I 1 Dec. 18, 1973 STORE DISPLAY FIXTURE ASSEMBLY Melvern O. Bard, Shawnee Mission, Kans.

[75] Inventor:

[73] Assignee: Western Auto Supply Company,

KansasCity, Mo.

22 Filed: Dec. 13, 1971 21 Appl. No.: 207,132

[52] US. Cl. 211/134, 211/182 [51] Int. Cl. A47f 5/00 [58] Field of Search 211/134, 148,162,

[5 6] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 1,127,002 2/1915 l-lincher 211/182 X 1,460,928 7/1923 Tilden 211/182 X 2,930,638 3/1960 Morrissey' 211/182 X 3,174,592 3/1965 Berman et a1. 211/184 X 3,200,775 8/1965 Peters 108/108 Primary Examiner-Ramon S. Britts Attorney-Carter H. Kokjer 57 ABSTRACT A plurality of spaced parallel uprights, self-standing or wall-assisted, are connected in series by rod-like cross members having hollow interiorly-threaded end portions which receive bolt-like members passed through the uprights. The uprights are slotted for reception of shelf support brackets. Pegboard or solid panels are fitted between the uprights and supported by the cross members, the upper and lower panel edges having specially formed structure adapted to register with the cross members and operable to permit quick and easy installation and removal of the panels without the use of tools. Stabilizing clips mounted on the uprights anchor side edge portions of the panels to hold the panels to hold the plane.

3 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENIEU DEC 18 I973 SHEET 1 0F 2 INVENTOR Ale/yer)? 0. fiard 1 STORE DISPLAY FIXTURE ASSEMBLY DETAILED DESCRIPTION The use of display fixtures in retail stores has become more and more accepted as self service merchandising has increased in popularity. However, there has been little change in the design of such fixtures over the past several years. Fixture costs have been relatively high, with the result that, for startup operations in a new store, funds that could better be invested in inventory have had to be applied to the fixtures. In addition, the cost of storage, transportation and erection and setup has been too high.

One of the important objectives which led to the development of the present invention was to achieve a design for retail store fixtures which would provide a lower cost fixture than is known to us to be available on the market at this time. concomitantly, the design objective was to provide a structure which would reduce labor man hours required in the setup and erection of the fixtures.

. Another objective met by the invention was to reduce the freight and storage costs per unit of display space by a substantial percentage figure.

Still another advantage achieved by the invention was to provide greater flexibility in alternative setups for stores of varying character and size and for changing merchandising conditions within a given store.

Yet another object achieved by the development of the invention was to provide a fixture assembly made up of a small number of individual components which are readily interchangeable and of simple and easily fabricated design.

Other objects and advantages of the invention together with the features of novelty appurtenant thereto will appear in the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith and in which like reference numerals indicate like parts in the various views:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical display stand according to the invention, the parts being shown in generally exploded relation and the break line on the rod-like cross pieces indicate interrupted length;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of a typical display stand like what is shown in FIG. 1, but including in addition shelf supports and shelves; and

FIG. 3 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2 in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the drawings and initially to FIG. 1, the basic display assembly is made up of a plurality of uprights which, in the illustrated embodiment, are selfsupporting on the floor surface by the base pieces 11. Both the uprights and base pieces are conveniently made of square or rectangular tubing and the base pieces are welded to the uprights. The front and rear faces of the uprights may be provided with vertical rows of slots, which to those skilled in the art will be recognized as typical slots for receiving shelf and bin brackets.

The uprights are intended to be connected together in a substantially rigid structure by upper and lower cross members 12 and 13, respectively. Preferably these are in the form of relatively small diameter pipe. Each pipe is interiorly threaded at its-end portions to a suitable depth.

In assembled relation, the cross members 12 and 13 bridge between and abut against the confronting surfaces of the uprights 10. Aligned with the cross members are openings or passageways 10a and 1011 through the uprights. These passageways are intended to receive either a cap screw 14 or a double threaded stud 15. The choice as to whether a cap screw or double threaded stud will be used depends on whether the stand is to consist of only two uprights or whether a series of side-by-side consecutively arranged modules is desired.

Where only two uprights are provided, cap screws 14 will be utilized at each upright to effect the connection between the uprights and the cross members 12 and 13. Where a series is employed, as is illustrated at the right hand side of FIG. 1, the double threaded studs will be employed, one end of the stud being screwed into one cross member 12, the unthreaded portion being located inside the upright and the other threaded portion being received in the adjacent or continuing cross member 12 or 13. It is important that the studs be double threaded with a blank space in between in order to insure of equal distribution of the threads into the cross members on opposite sides of the upright.

In the illustrated embodiment the display fixture includes a central pegboard panel 16. The panel is made rectangular in form and preferably is of essentially the same in width as the length of the cross members 12 and 13, so as to fill the space between and bordered by the uprights and the cross members. The panel 16 is provided along its upper edge with a pair of spaced guard members 17a and 17b which are in the form of flanges secured to and offset slightly from the opposite faces of the panel 16. Similar guard members 18a and 18b are secured at the lower edge of the panel, the guard members lying on opposite sides of the lower cross member 13. More will be said about the relative dimensions and functions of these guard members at a later point herein.

The final component illustrated in FIG. 1 is a clip member 19 which is formed with tangs 19a adapted to be received in the inner row of slots in the upright 10 and having a grooved protion 19b capable of interfitting with the side edge of the panel 16 and being positioned substantially at the mid-plane of the uprights 10 so as to register with the panel when the device is completely assembled. While only one clip member 19 is shown in FIG. 1, additional members can be utilized, the selection being made according to the overall dimensions of the panels and the number of places it is thought necessary to stabilize the panels against flexure.

A completely assembled display fixture assembly with three uprights and having shelving on both sides is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. The assembly of FIGS. 2 and 3 is equipped with vertically spaced shelving in the form of the shelves 20, 21, 22, and 23 which are respectively supported on cantilevered shelf brackets 24, 25, 26, and 27. The shelf brackets are conventional in construction, being formed with tangs (not shown) very much like the tangs 19a on the panel clips and which are received in the slots in the uprights 10.

Referring now to FIG. 3 and returning again to more detailed consideration of the construction of the panel member 16 and its upper and lower guard members, it

will be noted that the lower guard members 18a and 18b lie on opposite sides of the lower cross member 13 and that the weight of the panel rests on the lower cross member 13. The upper edge 16a of the panel is spaced below the upper cross member 12; this spacing is critical to the invention. The spacing must be at least substantially equal to the depth of the lower guard members 18a below the top surface of the lower cross member 13. The upper guard members 17a and 17b extend upwardly from edge 16a a distance at least sufficient to engage the cross member and prevent movement of the panel 16 to either side of its vertical plane between the uprights.

The form of the upper and lower guard members and dimensioning of the panel as described provides means for easily installing and removing the panel between the uprights and cross members. In the normal course of assembly of a fixture, whether involving two uprights or a series of uprights, the normal procedure is to connect the uprights by means of the cross members 12 and 13 and the cap screws 14 or studs 15. An open rectangular framework is thus provided. The panel is then installed by first engaging the upper cross member 12 between the guard members 17a and 17b and positioning the panel 16 so that one or the other of the lower guard members 18a or 18b can be swung across the top of the lower cross member 13. Once the guard member has cleared the top, the panel can be lowered into position.

It is apparent from what has been said that the panel 16 can be assembled into the structure without requiring the use of any tools.

The stabilizer clips 19 can be incorporated quite easily as the panels are assembled. It is only necessary to engage a side edge of the panel in the groove 19b and move the tangs 19a into position. The height on upright at which the clip 19 is located can be selected as desired and one or more clips may be used at either side edge of the panel.

It is evident that the system lends itself to simple changes, which increases its adaptability. Instead of pegboard, solid panels may be used, or a combination of pegboard and solid panels.

The pegboard will, of course, lend itself to the utilization of the ordinary pegs commonly used on pegboard panels to display merchandise. Obviously other types of shelves, bins and racks can be employed.

In a situation where the fixture is to be mounted adjacent a wall rather than standing out from the wall, the base piece 11 simply can be cut off adjacent one face of the upright 10, thus providing an L-shaped member which can be fitted closely up against the wall. Instead of cutting off a member 11, the upright and its base support can be manufactured as original equipment in this form.

The guard members 17a, 17b and 18a, 18b can be provided as original equipment on the panel, or may be supplied separately. In the latter case they can easily be attached to the panel with conventional fasteners. Since pegboard is normally accessible at most locations, it is possible simply to ship the guard members, uprights, clips and cap screws or studs which makes a very compact, lightweight package, easy to handle.

The nature of the assembly of the unit permits quick knockdown and replacement or placing in storage. All that need be done is to remove the panels, any shelf brackets and the clips, then unthread the cap screws from the cross members and the cross members from the threaded studs, proceeding from one end of the assembly to the other. There are few parts to be lost; but

if lost, they are easy to replace at a minimum investment, particularly the small parts such as the cap screws and studs.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.

Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described our invention, we claim;

1. In a display fixture assembly, the combination of a row of at least three spaced parallel uprights, with two end uprights and at least one intermediate upright,

means supporting said uprights in vertical orientation,

upper and lower horizontally and vertically aligned openings extending completely through said uprights, parallel one-piece cross members extending between said uprights and aligned respectively with said upper and lower openings, the extremity of each end of said cross members abutting an outer face of an upright about an opening and freely rotatable with respect thereto, said end having a threaded bore terminating at said extremity, the outside diameter of said extremity being greater than the diameter of said opening at the face of the upright, and connector means for holding said cross members to said intermediate upright including a one-piece connector member at each intermediate upright at each opening therethrough extending through the opening and having end portions extending beyond the respective faces of the upright and threadedly connected with the bores of said cross members, the connector means at the end uprights of the row including connector members also extending through the openings and having portions extending beyond the inside face of the upright and threaded to adjacent bores in the cross members and an upright abutting portion at the outside face of the upright and abutting same to complete the assembly. 2. The combination as in claim 1, including a panel member positioned between a pair of said uprights and having an upper edge below and parallel with the upper cross member and a lower edge resting on and parallel with the lower cross member,

upper guard members secured to said panel member at said upper edge and rising above the lower edge of the upper cross member on opposite sides thereof thereby to maintain said panel in alignment with said upper cross member,

lower guard members secured to said panel member at its lower edge and extending downwardly on opposite sides of the upper edge of the lower cross member to maintain said panel in alignment with the lower cross member,

the distance between said upper edge of said panel member and lower edge of said guard member being less than the minimum distance between said cross members thereby to permit upward displacement of said panel to a point where said lower guard members can be disengaged from the lower cross member and the upper guard members thereafter disengaged from the upper cross member.

3. In a display fixture assembly, the combination of a pair of spaced parallel uprights,

upper guard members secured to said panel member at said upper edge and extending above the lower edge of the upper cross member on the opposite sides thereof thereby to maintain said panel in alignment with said upper cross member,

lower guard members secured to said panel member at its lower edgeand extending downwardly onopposite sides of the upper edge of the lower cross member to maintain said panel in alignment with the lower cross member,

the distance between the upper edge of the panel and lower edge of the lower guard member being less than the minimum distance between the upper and lower cross members thereby to permit upper displacement of said panel to a point where said lower guard members can be disengaged from the lower cross member and the upper guard members thereafter disengaged from the upper cross member. 

1. In a display fixture assembly, the combination of a row of at least three spaced parallel uprights, with two end uprights and at least one intermediate upright, means supporting said uprights in vertical orientation, upper and lower horizontally and vertically aligned openings extending completely through said uprights, parallel one-piece cross members extending between said uprights and aligned respectively with said upper and lower openings, the extremity of each end of said cross members abutting an outer face of an upright about an opening and freely rotatable with respect thereto, said end having a threaded bore terminating at said extremity, the outside diameter of said extremity being greater than the diameter of said opening at the face of the upright, and connector means for holding said cross members to said intermediate upright including a one-piece connector member at each intermediate upright at each opening therethrough extending through the opening and having end portions extending beyond the respective faces of the upright and threadedly connected with the bores of said cross members, the connector means at the end uprights of the row including connector members also extending through the openings and having portions extending beyond the inside face of the upright and threaded to adjacent bores in the cross members and an upright abutting portion at the outside face of the upright and abutting same to complete the assembly.
 2. The combination as in claim 1, including a panel member positioned between a pair of said uprights and having an upper edge below and parallel with the upper cross member and a lower edge resting on and parallel with the lower cross member, upper guard members secured to said panel member at said upper edge and rising above the lower edge of the upper cross member on opposite sides thereof thereby to maintain said panel in alignment with said upper cross member, lower guard members secured to said panel member at its lower edge and extending downwardly on opposite sides of the upper edge of the lower cross member to maintain said panel in alignment with the lower cross member, the distance between said upper edge of said panel member and lower edge of said guard member being less than the minimum distance between said cross members thereby to permit upward displacement of said panel to a point where said lower guard members can be disengaged from the lower cross member and the upper guard members thereafter disengaged from the upper cross member.
 3. In a display fixture assembly, the combination of a pair of spaced parallel uprights, means supporting said uprights in vertical orientation, a pair of parallel vertically aligned cross members, upper and lower, extending between and anchored at their opposite ends to the respective uprights, a panel member positioned between said uprights and having an upper edge below and parallel with the upper cross member and a lower edge resting on and parallel with the lower cross member, upper guard members secured to said panel member at said upper edge and extending above the lower edge of the upper cross member on the opposite sides thereof thereby to maintain said panel in alignment with said upper cross member, lower guard members secured to said panel member at its lower edge and extending downwardly on opposite sides of the upper edge of the lower cross member to maintain said panel in alignment with the lower cross member, the distance between the upper edge of the panel and lower edge of the lower guard member being less than the minimum distance between the upper and lower cross members thereby to permit upper displacement of said panel to a point where said lower guard members can be disengaged from the lower cross member and the upper guard members thereafter disengaged from the upper cross member. 